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The Armenian Mirror-Spectator 3/19/2011

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  • The Armenian Mirror-Spectator 3/19/2011

    The Armenian Mirror-Spectator
    755 Mount Auburn St.
    Watertown, MA 02472
    Tel: (617) 924-4420
    Fax: (617) 924-2887
    Web: http://www.mirrorspectator.com
    E-mail: [email protected]

    ************************************************** *****************
    1. Commentary: Armenians Don't Need Any Foreign Enemies

    ************************************************** *****************
    1. Commentary: Armenians Don't Need Any Foreign Enemies

    *By Edmond Y. Azadian*

    Every time we recite the unsavory adage that Armenians are their worst
    enemies, a new case emerges to confirm that unfortunate statement. As if we
    had not suffered enough embarrassment with the exploits of the Armenian
    Power gang, now we have to face other public scandals, this time hitting the
    very core of Armenian interests, and not merely reputation, like in the
    first case.

    For a long time, the scapegoats and the bad guys in the community were the
    political parties, who supposedly fomented antagonism and in-fighting within
    the community.

    But times changed and new players entered the scene, this time with even
    worse records. One such case is the issue of the Armenian Genocide Museum.
    The community was elated that a full century after the destruction of the
    Armenian nation and loss of our historic homeland, some kind of restitution
    would come to do justice to the memory of 1.5 million Armenian martyrs.

    A few generous benefactors had come forth with unusually large contributions
    to build a Genocide museum in Washington, DC, a few blocks from the White
    House. We were led to believe that this was a dream come true. Finally
    Armenians had demonstrated the vision and the fortitude to make an eloquent
    statement in the heart of our nation's capital, to the chagrin of Turks who
    continue to deny the 20th century's most monstrous atrocity.

    After the initial euphoria, a period of eerie silence reigned, followed by
    accusations and lawsuits between the Armenian Assembly and Gerald Cafesjian.

    The dream soured, as the accusations and counter-accusations continue flying
    in the media.

    It looks like money and wisdom do not always go together.

    Today the museum project remains in limbo and only the combatants' egos
    carry the day.

    Late this winter Judge Kollar-Kotelly handed victory to the Cafesjian Family
    Foundation, which was to receive back the funds donated for the project, in
    addition to the enhanced value of the property with a dangerous proviso:
    `While the court hopes that the properties can be used for (the museum),
    the
    court recognizes that the (Cafesjian Family Foundation) is not legally
    obligated to use the properties to build a museum.'

    This means that the destiny of this landmark edifice will be hanging on the
    whims of the Cafesjian family, which admittedly has helped the cultural life
    in Armenia tremendously. Without getting into the legal complexities of the
    ruling, the ordinary people will understand that Gerald Cafesjian can do
    anything with the property awarded to him. We hope, of course, he will still
    put it to its originally- intended use, a museum to honor the legacy of our
    martyrs.

    Now comes the counter suit: `A rancorous legal fight over a proposed
    Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial is flaming up once more amid claims
    that a glass-loving federal judge might have been biased in the
    decision-making' writes Michael Doyle in McClatchy Newspapers.

    Indeed the Armenian Assembly has come up with a countersuit stating: `It
    has
    come to the Armenian Assembly's attention that Mr. Gerald L. Cafesjian and
    the Honorable Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, who oversaw the trial late last
    year, appear to have failed to disclose that they were familiar with each
    other' =85 `the shared interests and familiarity between Mr. Cafesjian
    and the
    judge may very well explain why undisputed facts and clear conflict of
    interest issues were overlooked and decided in Mr. Cafesjian's favor.'

    Therefore, another lawsuit with piling legal expenses, which could be put to
    more productive use, if good old common sense were exercised. The Armenian
    Assembly is a major advocacy group with a solid record of contribution to
    the Armenian cause.

    If we discount the arrogance of the litigants, we are left but a conspiracy
    theory. Someone somewhere must be conspiring to destroy the prospect of a
    monument which is meant to memorialize the destruction of a nation and cry
    out loud from the heart of Washington, DC, the justice denied to the
    Armenian people. Yet, at this point Turks couldn't be happier with this
    fiasco.

    The centennial is around the corner and there is no end to this legal
    battle.

    Judge Kollar-Kotelly has said at the end of her 190-page ruling, better than
    any Armenian could have said, `leave the bickering aside and build the
    museum.'

    Another scandal which is brewing is the lawsuit brought against the attorney
    Vartkes Yeghiayan for defrauding the insurance settlement funds.

    In a CN dispatch from Los Angeles, it is reported that `Two attorneys claim
    their co-counsel in two class actions that won insurance benefits for the
    victims of the Armenian Genocide diverted and laundered almost $1 million
    from the settlement meant for charities to help the Armenian community.'
    `It
    is with deep sadness that plaintiffs bring this action,' Mark Geragos and
    Brian Kabateck say in their Superior Court complaint. Mr. Yeghiayan has
    denied the allegations made in the lawsuit.

    When the New York Life and AXA cases were won and the settlement benefited
    several Armenian organizations, there was a sense of relief that finally
    partial justice was awarded to the survivors of the Genocide.

    The legal victories inspired confidence among the Armenians to go after the
    Federal Reserve to claim the gold confiscated from Armenians by the Ottoman
    government which had made its way to the Federal Reserve. Similarly,
    lawsuits were underway for the illegal use by the Turkish government of the
    Incirlik air base.

    All these were initial minor steps to build the case for a major settlement
    with Turkey one day. But we are already mired in the mud at the outset of
    this long legal battle and attorneys who are supposed to defend the case of
    the Armenian people have already tarnished their reputation. How can we
    pursue further claims from Turkey when there is a dark cloud hovering above
    the reputation of the claimants?

    At this point it is irrelevant who wins the case, because the ultimate
    winner is Turkey, which can ridicule us, armed with the scandal at hand.

    There is an ironic statement issued by ARF in Yerevan about this case. The
    statement says: `The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Central Political
    Council (Armenian Cause) issued a declaration calling on attorney involved
    in cases related to Genocide survivor settlement to immediately submit all
    records to an independent audit.' Indeed, a fair request.

    Of course every Armenian has to call for accountability. The ARF, which is
    the least transparent organization, should be the last one to make that
    call. The organization has yet to account for the funds collected to benefit
    Armenia's earthquake victims of 1988.

    All these cases indicate how Armenians can shoot themselves in the foot.

    With all their struggles and the infighting the political parties in their
    126-year-history perhaps have not damaged the fundamental Armenian interests
    more than the above cases have.

    We don't need any foreign enemies to destroy us. We have already enough
    among ourselves.




    From: A. Papazian
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